Method and apparatus for conditioning and dispensing beer



1 G. coPEMAN Oct. 19, 1937.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONDITIONING AND DISPENSING BEER 25 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 24, 1933 lvr. www

INVENTOR. Lm/0 G. Conf/wmY ATTORNEYS.

Oct. 19,.1937. L. G. coPEMAN 2,096,088

r METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONDITIONING AND DISPENSING BEER Filed Nov.` 24, 19:53 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS Oct. 19, 1937. L. G. coPEMAN METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONDITIONING AND DISPENSING BEER Filed Nov. 24, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 foga? a 6MM, Azam Wm ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 19, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE m01) AND APPARATUS FOB CONDITION- ING AND DISPENSING BEER.

Lloyd G.` Copeman, Flint, Mich., assignnr to v(iopeman Laboratories Company, Flint, Mich., a corporation o! Michigan Application November Z4, 1933, Serial No. 699,591

18 Claims.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for conditioning and dispensing beer, and has to do particularly with beer conditioning and dispensing apparatus of the portable type.

One of the main objects of the present invention resides in the use of solidified CO2 as a eool- A further feature oi' .the invention has to do. l5 with the immersion of beer conditioning and dis-- pensing means directly in the beer itself, but in such a manner that the beer is not cooled below normal palatable temperature; in the preferred form the beer is even precooled before being placed in the container whereby the main function of the-immersed means is to condition the beer and to some extent maintain the same in its cooled condition.

Other features have to do with wall structure for separating the solid COzfrom the liquid and having a predetermined insulating eifect whereby heat transfer will be so retarded as to keep the beer above its minimum palatable temperature.

Other features include the general structure of the portable container and also details ofregulable conducting means for varying ture of the liquid, as-will be more clearly set forth in the specification and claims.

In the drawings:

Pig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a portable dispensing unit including cooling and conditioning means fabricated in accordance with the present invention.

Pig. 2 is a vertical sectional view illustrating a 40 somewhat modified form of structure both as to the detailsofthe immersedsconditioning unit and means for the entire container. lig.3isasectlonalviewtaken onlinel-lof Pig; l, and illustrating particularly the removable closure member and regulable conducting means i'or predetermining the' temperature of the liquid.

Pig. 4 is a further modified t wherein the cooling and conditioning unit is so designed insuchawayastoreston the bottom ofthe main container.

' lla. 5 is a vertical sectional view illustrating the adaptation of the invention to a smaller type dispensing unit and also showing the solid CO:

container in its preferred form..

Fig. 6 is a view of a modified form of smaller dispensing unit of the glass jug type so that the solid CO: may be inserted inthe bottom of the unit.

It is often desirable for home use, picnics, and 5 even small restaurants and the like, to dispense beer directly from the container in which it is delivered from the brewer. Several attempts have been made along this line. but the beer is charged with C02 at the brewery, justas is the practice in 10 filling the standard beer barrels, and the beer container placed in a domestic refrigerator to keep it cool or packed with ice or the like, and the originally charged beer will retain enough CQ: to give a fairly palatable drink until about half l5 of the beer is dispensed. The gist of the present invention may be said to reside in the dispensing of -beer directly from its own container and the proper conditioning of the beer by the direct immersion therein of solid 20 y CO2. H ere we have two outstanding problems, one being that beer cannot be dispensed below 40 for palatable drinking, and the other being' that a chunk of solid CO2 dropped directly in beer has a peculiar action in that it will not be cov- 25 ered with a coating of ice as is the case when solid Con'is dropped in water, but the alcohol in the beer will act as a sort of brine, preventing the formation of this nlm of ice and thereby greatly accelerating the sublimlnauon of the CO1. Beer' 30 will freeze at A28 F., but although solid CO: has a temperatureof around 114 below zero, it will not freeze the beer by direct contact therewith (at least not for some little time) but only greatly increases the sublimination of the solid CO3. The 35 resultisthatifachunkofsolidCOzisdropped in a container of beer the pressure created will be terrine, resulting in much danger and probable damage.

leferrlngtollg. 1,itwillbeseenthat 1have 40 provided la containergenerally :u 2 for receiving a beer or other carbonated beverage container l. A layer of insulation l preferably separates the two containers and in some instances,wherethecontaineristoremainatthe 45 placeofdispensing,alayerof stonelorsimilar hold-over material may be utilized. The top of the container 3 is preferably insulatedasat .andsuchcontainerisprovided with a removable head 1,tighuy clamped in pi- 50 tionasatl andincludingaslipporting'rod l for carrying a-solid C0: container unit Il. This unit il is a double walled container, preferably a vacuumcontainer. 'l'heevaporatedCOasa-sesare conducted away from the container Il through 55 a removable head II, and a conduit I2'is provided with a check valve It to positively prevent the return of any liquid into the container Il.

In operation, the beer in either its partially charged condition, as is usually customary, or in a flat condition, and preferably precooled, is poured into the container 3; the container Il is filled with a. block of solid CO: Il and lolered into the beer and the head 1 clamped into position,

as shown in Fig. 1. Thedegree of vacuum-or, in other words, the degree of insulation provided by the container Iii, is just sufilcient, when balanced by the insulation I, to, under normal temperature conditions, maintain the beer at about 40 F- Even if the' beer is poured into the container when flat, theevaporated CO: gases passing from the container I0 out through the pipe I2 will, within a very h charge the beer as to make it very, palatable. The CO: gases not absorbed by the beer will collect in the top of the container 3 and serve as the required pressure for dispensing the boer, an adjustable pressure regulating valve II deter,- mining the pressure at which the beer is to be dispensed. Thus, if the beer is precooled before insertion in the container 3 it will absorb much more CO2 and it will be seen that in a very few minutes the entire body of beer.will be thoroughly charged by the evaporated CO1 gases to produce a live, unusually palatable glass of beer. All bitterness is removed and the beerv is ina fully charged, preserved condition, even when used down to the very bottom of the container. Dispensing is directly from the container by means of a faucet I6 so that the container serves' as its own bar. If all the beeris not used in five or six days time, the head 1 is removed and a new charge of solid CO: placed within the container Ill.

In the modiilcation illustrated in Fig. 2, substantially the same structural design is followed as in Fig. 1, except that a glass type vacuum container Ilia is used for the solid CO1 and a cap or collar II is provided with a removable insert I1. This insert I1 may be provided with one or two copper conductor members Il, as shown in Fig. 2, or with a plurality of copper conductor members I8 as shown' in Fig. 3, so that merely by removing one insert I1 and replacing the same with another which is provided with more or less copper conductors I8, it is possible to vary 'the conductivity between the solid CO2 chamber and the beer, thus effecting a greater or less cooling effect, as desired. A coiled conduit I2a also permits a slightly greater cooling effect' for presenting a greater surface area of cold CO: gases. The unit 4shown in Fig. 2is designed to be more portable than that shown in Fig'. 1, with the result that the more permanent insulation is replaced by a bag I9 of relatively good insulating material, so that the entire unit may bedelivered from the brewery precooled with the result that the beer will be conditioned and kept at 'the proper temperaturea relatively long time.

In the modification shownin Fig. 4, I have shown a solid CO1 container III `of, the same general structure as that shown in Fig. l. In this case the container Ill is not supported from a head 1 but is lowered separately by means of a suitable handle 2li into the beer. A weighted.cap 2i for the container I0 will maintain the CO: container at the bottom of the main beer container, j

a,o9e,ose

the preferred modification, the beer is'dispensed few minutes, sumciently directly from the main beer container l as by means of the spigot Il so that, as intherest of the forms, the container I serves as its own bar. A head 22 is suitably clamped to the top of the container 3 and is adapted to support a three walled solid CO: container. Here a vacuum or similar insulating container 23 is supported in upright position and normally closed by a cork 24. An outer .wall 2l surrounds the container 23 and supports the same by a removable pin so that the evaporated CO: gases must nrst raise the cork 2l and then pass upwardly-and downwardly between the container 23 and the outer wall 2l. An outer insulating wall, 2S may be used in which case the insulating effect of the container 2l and wall 2l is so proportioned Aand balanced. against the insulating eii'ect of the outer wall as to maintain the beer at the proper palatable temperature. In the 'absence of such outer insulating wail 28 the complete container 25 is so designed as to conductivity asnot to cool the beer below the required temperature. When Vthere is but a single outer wall for thecontainer 3 presenting very little insulating eifect, it is best that the beer be precooled and the container kept in a cool place so that the main function of the solid CO: is to'condition and dispense the beer rather than to cool the same. With the double container arrangement, as shown in this.

In delivering a self-dispensing container of this type, and particularly where the rbeeris prel cooled but relatively ilat. it may take ten or nfteen minutes after the beer is delivered before it is properly conditioned and ready for .consumption. To overcome this defect I have provided aecontainer 21, readily attachable to the lower end of the container 25 and adapted-to re- I ceive a small piece' of solid C02, the evaporation of which will be greatly accelerated by the heat lfromthe beer to release a relatively large supply of CO: and thus condition the beer in a very short-time. Such a container and small piece of solid CO: inserted in they beer before delivery to thehome or the place of consumption will insure the beer vbeingin proper condition upon arrival. A light spring `pressedvalve 2l in the bottom of the auxiliary container 21 prevents inilow of beer into the-auxiliary container. This small charge of solid COzin `the auxiliary. container will also assist in cooling the beer. It will be obvious that the maincontainerli may be used withoutthisgauxiliary container 21. de-

pendent entirely upon"dlstribution'conditions in anyparticularlocality; 'f

It will thus' be seen that a thermos circulation will be set up in the liquid within the container I in that the liquid adjacent the C0: container '25 will ilow downwardly.'being.coo1ed by the said container, so that the CO: `gases ilowing downwardly 4between the container 23 and the .cuter wsu ze wm new in the same direction as the descending liquid; in other words, the CO2 gases will wipe the outer wall 2l on the inside when flowing downwardly anda portion of the liquid will wipe the` outer surface of the wall 2l and will move in the same direction as the downwardly descending CO: gases.

I ports 33 which ports are initially covered by a closure member 3l. In filling this transparent container, the cork may be positioned all the way in, as shown in solid lines, the container lled with beer from the top, and the combined closure member and relief valve 3l inserted in place. 'I'he container 23 may be then inverted, the stopper 3l removed, and a block of solid C02 inserted in place, after which the plug 3| may be forced all the way into said position, shown in full lines.

When the container is turned upright, to the position shown in Fig. 6, the cork may be moved down, or otherwise forced down as by the pressure' of the CO2 gas, which will uncover the ports 33 so that evaporating C02 gases will escape outwardly at the wbottom of the container and into the body of beer. It-will also be obvious that the cork 3l may be forced out sufiiciently far to release pressure from the container 32 directly to the atmosphere, in the event the valve 3| becomes clogged, or if for any other reason, the pressure in the container 32 becomes abnormally great.

It will thus be seen that in all structures embodying the present invention, the CO2 gases are taken on the bottom of the immersed solid C02 container, whether said container is secured to the bottom of the main beer container or is suspended from a head r is weighted. 'Ihis is a very important feature of the present invention. It will also be obvious that the high degree of insulation provided will prevent the beer from being dispensed at a temperature below 40 and that whether the solid C02 is to be used in cooling thebeer or mainly for conditioning and assisting in maintaining the length of cooling of a precooled beer, the degree of insulation is always proportionedto the results desired. Even though no insulation is provided for the `outside of the main beer container 3, a sufficient charge of solid C02 may be used in the CO2 container to maintain the beer at approximately 40; however, this would take a rather large supply of CO2 and it will usually be best to insulate the outer container or, in the use of small domestic containers holding a fairly small supply, -it would be best to precool the beer and use the CO2 charge mainly as a conditioning and dispensing means and assisting in prolonging the cooling period, in addition to outside cooling means to be used, of course, as desired. It will also be seen that in any of the modications illustrated, either the built up pressure within the container or the position of the container itself will effectively prevent contact between the'beer and the cake of solid CO2.

What I claim is: y

1. A dispensing, conditioning and cooling unit for beer and the like, comprising a container for receiving a body of liquid to be cooled. a second container for receiving a body of solid CO2, said second container being at least partially im- 5. mersed during the greater part of the dispensing operation in said body of liquid, a dispensing tube carried by the rst container and extending to a point adjacent the bottom of the main container, said CO1 container vbeing so fabricated as to discharge the evaporated CO: gases only from the bottom portion of said immersed container into the body of liquid whereby to charge the same and assist in cooling the same, andmeans in the top of the liquid container for controlling the maximum pressure therein. said pressure serving, in turn, to exhaust the liquid through the dispensing tube.

2. A dispensing, conditioning and cooling unit for beer and the like, comprising a container for receiving a, body of beer to be cooled, a sec- `ond container for receiving a body of solid C01, said secondv container being at least. partially immersed when in 'operation in said body of beer, a. dispensing tube carried by the iirst container and extending to a point adjacent the bottom of the main container, said C0;` container being so fabricated as to discharge the evaporated COz gases only from the bottom portion of said immersed container into the body of beer whereby to charge the same and assist in cooling the same, and means in the' top of the liquid container for controlling the maximum'pressure therein, said pressure serving, in turn, to exhaust I the beer through the dispensing tube, said means being adjustable to vary the pressure and predetermine the head on the beer drawn from said dispensing member.

3. A dispensing, conditioning and cooling unit for beer and the like, comprising a. container for receiving a body of liquid to be cooled, an insulated container for receiving a body-of solid CO2, said insulated container being at least partially immersed when in operation in said.

body of liquid, a dispensing tube carried by the rst container and extending to a point adjacent the bottom of the main container, said CO2 container being so fabricated as to discharge the evaporated CO2 gases only from the bottom portion of said immersed container into the body of liquid whereby to charge the same and assist in cooling the same, and means subject to gases in the top of the liquid container for controlling the maximum pressure therein, said 'pressure serving, in turn, to exhaust the liquid through the dispensing member, the degree of insulation being such as to retard the transfenof heat units through the insulated wall to such an extent as to prevent the liquid from freezing.

4. A dispensing, conditioning and cooling unit for beer and the like, comprising a container for receiving a body of beer to be cooled, an insulated container for receiving a body of solid CO2, said insulated container being at least partially immersed when in operation in said body of beer, a dispensing tube carried by the first container and extending to a point adjacent the bottom of the main container, said CO2 container being so fabricated as to discharge the evaporated CO: gases from the bottom portion of said immersed container into the body of beer whereby to charge the same and assist in cooling the same, and means subject to gases in the top of the liquid container for controlling the maximum pressure therein, said pressure serving, in turn, to exhaust the beer through the dispensing member, said'means being adjustable to vary the pressure and predetermine the head on the beer drawn from said dispensing tube, the degree of insulation being such as Ato retard the transfer of heat units through the .insulatedy wail 5. A dispensing, conditioning and cooling unitA for beer and the like, comprisingl an insulated container for receiving a body of liquid to be cooled, a second insulated container for receiving a-body of solid C01, said second insulated containerbeingatlcastpartiallyimmersedwhen in'operation in said body o! liquid. a tube; carried by the nrst insulated container and extending to a point adiacent the bottom of the main container, said CO: container being so fabricated as to discharge the. evaporated CO: gases from the bottom portion of said immersed container into .they bow of liquid whereby -to chargethesameandassistincoolingthesame. and means in the top of the container for controllingthemaxlmumpressuretherein andtoin turn supply pressure for exhausting the liquid through the dispensing member, the degree of insulation being such as' to retard the transfer of hestunits through the insulatedwall to such an extent las to prevent the liquid from freezing.

6. A dispensing. conditioning and cooling unit for beer andthe like, comprising a container for receiving a body oi'liquid to be conditioned and dispensed, a second container for receiving a body of solid CO1, the greater portion oi' the walls of said second container in contact with the liquid being insulated to greatly retard heat transfer therethrough, means for conducting evaporated CO: gasesin the lowerportion of saidbodyof liquidtocon onsaidliquidandserveaspressure means, and 'heat conducting means forming a part oi' said second container "i l L in `7, A conditioning and cooling unit for beer and the like, comprising anl container` being at least-partially immersed wheninoperatloninsaidbodyofliquisidispensingtubeearriedbytbeiirstinmlatedconandextendingtoapdntadiaeennthe ofthemaincontainensaidconbdngsofabrleatedastoidischargethe and dispensed. `a second container for receiving a body of solid CO1, thegreater portionfofthe walls oi' said second container being insulated t0 greatly retard heat transfer therethrough. means for conducting evaporated CO: gases into the lower portion of said body of liquid to condition said liquid and serve as pressure dispensing means, heat conducting means forming a part o1 said second container for assisting in predetermining the heat transference between the CO: container and the liquid and in predetermining the temperature` of the liquid, and an auxiliary container for receivinge a relatively small charge of solid CO: for initially acceleratinthe charging of the liquid.

10.A solid CO: container unit o! the type adaptedtobeatleastpartiallyimmersedina liquid for carbonating same, comprising an innercontainer having a gas escape opening at one end, an outer container enclosing said opening and a portionotthewallsoi saidnrstcontainer whereby to form an air seal to prevent liquid from entering said inner container, and

an auxiliary container for receiving a relativelyv small charge of solid COz'for initially 'accelerating the charging ot the liquid.

ll. A-solid CO: container unit o! the type adaptedtobe at least partiallyimmersed ina liquid for carbonating same, comprising an innercontainerhavingagasescapeopeningat one end, an outer container enclosing said opening andaportion of the walls ofsaid first container whereby to form an air seal to prevent liquid from entering said inner container, insulation means positioned between "said solid CO: and liquid, and an auxiliary container for receiving a relatively small charge of solid CO: for initially the charging of the liquid.

12. A,conditioningandcoolingunit tor beer and thelike, comprising a container for receivinga body of liquid to be conditioned and' an opening in said container anda closurefor said-opening, a second containersnspended from said closure member, rand adapted tocontainabodyotsolidCOasaidsecondcontainer being so positioned as to discharge G0: directiyintotheliquimandadiustablemeanspositionedinsaidnrstcontainerforcontroilingthe relesseofCOxgascollectedabove thetliquidin saidiirstcontainer.l

i3. A,conditioningandcoolingunit forbeerandthelihaaeontamerfor mlbudydliilllidtobeandanopeninginsaidcontainerandaehexhatltsthebeerthrohthedispensingmeana 14.'L.andeoolingunlt fbeerandthelikecomprisingacontainerlm' reeeivmgabodyolliquhitobeconditionedand charge CO2 directly into the liquid, means car'- ried by said closure member forl effecting dispensing of the beer, and means similarly carried for adjustably controlling the release of gas from the space above the liquid.

Y 15. A dispensing, conditioning and cooling unit for beer and the like, comprising a container for receiving a body of liquid to be conditioned and dispensed, an-opening in said container and a closure A.for said opening, a second container suspended from said closure member, said second container having an opening for receiving a body of solid CO2, said opening being accessible for the adding of solid CO2 only upon removal of said' closure, said second container being so positioned as to discharge C02 directly into the liquid, means carried by said closure member for effecting dispensing of the beer and means similarly carried for adjustably controlling the release of gas from the space above the liquid.

16. A dispensing, conditioning and cooling unit for beer and the like, comprising a'container for receiving a body of beer to be cooled, a solid CO2 container unit carried by a wall of the main container and'at least partially immersed in the liquid within the main container, an opening formed in said solid CO2 container for directing evaporating CO2 gases into the liquid, means for opening and closing said CO2 container opening, a dispensing tubecarried by the main container and extending to a point adjacent the bottom thereof and means positioned in a Awall of said main container subject to the collected CO2 gases in'the top of the main container for controlling the maximum pressure therein, said pressure serving,- in turn, to exhaust the beer through the' dispensing member, substantially all the evaporated C02 gases from said solid CO2-container normally passing through the opening in-said C: container up through the beer` and into the space above the beer or out through said last named means.

17. A dispensing, conditioning and cooling unit for beer and the like, comprising a transparent an opening formed in said solid CO2 container' for directing evaporating CO2 gases into the liquid, means for opening and closing said C0: container opening, a dispensing tube can'ied by the main container and extending to a point adjacent the bottom thereof and means positioned in a wall of said main container and means subject to the collected CO: gases in the top ot the main container for controlling the maximum pressure therein, said pressure serving, in turn, to exhaust the beer through the dispensing member, substantially all the vevaporated CO2 gases from said solid CO2 container normally passing through the opening in said CO2 container up through the beer and into the space above the beer or out through said last named means, said last named means being adjustable to/citrol the eiective pressure within the main container.

18. A dispensing, conditioning and cooling unit closure for said opening, a second container suspended from' said closure member and adapted to contain a body of solid C02, said second container vbeing so positionedas'to discharge CO2 directly into the liquid and so fabricated as to prevent freezing of the liquid by the solid CO2, and adjustable means positioned in said closure member 

